Candidate to be Robert Ficano's part-time driver withdraws contract request

Mar. 21, 2013

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

The retired sheriff's deputy who had hoped to become Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano's part-time driver said Wednesday that he was withdrawing his contract request ahead of a scheduled County Commission vote today.

As first reported by the Free Press, Fred Berry -- who retired from the county Sheriff's Office and formed the company Star Fighters -- was in line for a $55,000 contract with the county. The no-bid contract said Berry would serve as Ficano's bodyguard, whose responsibilities also would include driving him to appointments, delivering packages and changing the oil, filling up the gas tank and washing the executive's county-provided car.

Berry said his driving duties overshadowed the bulk of his work, which would have been supervising the alternative work force, a county program that allows offenders to avoid jail time by doing community service work.

"The commissioners are taking all kinds of heat," Berry said.

After Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy lost 22 prosecutors this week when their contracts weren't renewed because of budget cuts, Berry said he became the perfect foil.

"I feel sorry for the people that got laid off," Berry said. "I'm sure somewhere down the line, they'll reach a deal and try to bring those people back."

Ficano spokeswoman June West didn't respond to messages seeking comment.

Berry said his contract has been mischaracterized because the driver portion "was only three days a month, but that became the focus."

Berry said he saved the county millions by uncovering a gasoline overcharge scam several years ago and had an eye for other efficiencies.

"I really have a lot to offer the county," he said.

Commissioner Chairman Gary Woronchak said Berry's contract had become a political football in the middle of a budget battle between Ficano and Worthy.

"I think, politically, the situation was impossible, and the commission probably was not going to approve it," Woronchak said. "Rather than have it go down, it was a wise move on his part to pull it back."

Woronchak said he didn't know who would now supervise the alternative work force.

"That will be up to Children and Family Services," Woronchak said. "Maybe they'll have someone else do it. Maybe they'll have Fred Berry do it and do just that. I don't know."